Putting luxury-like SUVs head to head
Despite rising fuel costs and urban sprawl, SUVs still represent big business and sell in impressive numbers. In light of that, we decided to take a look at two of our favourite new SUVs, the Kia Sorento and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, to see which one is better for each kind of buyer out there. Kia shows up big The more impressive updates on this crossover come inside as Kia changed many little things that add really up. For starters, the Sorento comes with multiple seating arrangements. Although the third row is pretty tight, it can fold with a 50/50 split, while the second row features a 40/20/40 split. You get over 320 L of space to store stuff with all seats in place, or 2082 L with everything folded down. It’s spacious, to say the least, but there’s more to it than that.
The seats in our tester are wrapped in nice Nappa Leather that brings the fantastic Kia Stinger GT to mind, but one complaint I have about the Sorento is with its seating position, especially in regards to the outboard armrest, which is a bit too short.
However, Kia has updated many of the touch points in the cabin. The steering wheel and shift knob get a new look and feel, as do the air vents and centre console. The gauge cluster has also been updated, plugging a bright multi-function display screen to make the car feel modern and intuitive. The Sorento can also be equipped with a ton of handy features, such as a huge dualpane sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and vented seats, a heated steering wheel, a power liftgate and a 630-watt ten-speaker surround sound system from Harmon/Kardon. Power as needed That edge is dulled a bit by the loss of the turbocharged fourcylinder that used to be offered in the Sorento. While a 185-hp 2.4-litre four-cylinder or 290hp 3.3-litre V6 are still available, the automaker is also promising a new diesel option that should be popping up sometime in the future to capitalize on the sudden lack of competition in that regard.
You can get the Sorento with either front-wheel drive or with all-wheels being motivated, and our V6 model indeed comes with all-wheel drive. The whole powertrain is tied together with an eight-speed automatic, while four-cylinder models make do with a six-speed auto.
The engine is nothing to get excited about. It feels good to bury your foot and get going in this SUV, but it doesn’t sound very good in action. A bit coarse at times, it’s plenty usable on the everyday commute and can pass with ease. Luxury for less The Sorento is extremely accommodating on the road. Everything feels smooth and nat- ural. Gear changes are snappy with no hesitation while the steering is extremely responsive, allowing the Sorento to feel more like a car than a threerow SUV. Body roll and lean is nicely kept in check, and this Kia never feels wobbly or unwieldy. It is easy to drive with little interruptions and doesn’t require a huge change in driving style, which can be said about other big cars. It gives a really good sense of confidence on the road, allowing you to quickly judge where it can fit, either in a parking spot or in some traffic.
The Sorento is capable of getting about 21 MPG combined, and I’d say our real-world usage of the truck confirms that. But the Jeep is also rated to get 21 MPG combined, so the two trucks even out there.
The Sorento starts at $27,995 but that’s for a front-wheel drive, four-cylinder model. This fully loaded example will set you back over $48,000. That’s a huge margin between models, but the Jeep is also pretty versatile in terms of capability, performance and price, so it’s a pretty appropriate comparison subject. Jeeps for every budget But it’s also important that these two cars are really targeting two different kinds of buyers. And this Limited model with the Sterling package is a mid-level trim vehicle, compared to the Sorento’s loaded model. So there a few things that should be brought up when talking about any Grand Cherokee and not just this one. First, you can get it with a number of motors. While most will opt for the 3.6-litre V6 engine, other buyers can pick between more powerful V8s if they’re so inclined. Additionally, the luxury options and features like air suspension and upgraded upholstery and trims can really be added too. You can go well overboard and get yourself in a $110,845 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, with 707 horse- power and other insane goodies. But if you stay thrifty you’ll end up with something like we have, which costs just $52,845.
While the Jeep boasts a fancy all-wheel-drive system and limitless off-road capability, its interior is a little less versatile, at least in comparison to the Sorento. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t come with the third row of seating and the total space available is just 1,934 L. The verdict Both are fantastic, and I have no problem recommending them to someone who wants the most luxury-like SUV for the money. These two could compete with the likes of Lincoln, Buick, Acura and Lexus.
The Jeep is a little less refined on the road but makes up for it with off-road confidence, while the Kia is fantastic for the everyday commute and the family thanks to its huge interior. It’s a close call, but I’ll say the Sorento is the one that will fit more customers needs and budgets.